By Akena P’Ojok Why Uganda should not be short of electricity It should be a blessing for a country to have natural energy resources such as petroleum, gas, coal, water with fast running rivers and falls. But this is not always the case; in fact the contrary may occur. This …
Read More »Satchet alcohol ban causes Shs 20 billion loss in taxes
By Patrick Kagenda Two months after the ministry of Health recommended a ban on production, sell, and consumption of alcohol packed in sachets allegedly because it had killed 18 people, the measure remains controversial in parliament, Cabinet, and the public. The Independent’s Patrick Kagenda talked to the Uganda National Bureau …
Read More »Juba: Building market not way out for Uganda
By Amon B. Mbekiza Parliament is in a tag-of war with the Foreign Affairs Ministry over Shs 17 billion the ministry needs to build a market for Uganda traders in Juba, Southern Sudan. Whatever reasons parliament has, this money should not be passed. For starters, this is the wrong ministry …
Read More »Shilling could end year at 1,700 to the dollar
By Patrick Kagenda Buoyed by returning off-shore investors especially in the oil sector, increased remittances from Ugandans working abroad, and inflows from exports, the shilling has appreciated 25% against the dollar over a six months ending October 31. Globally the dollar has seen some depreciation lately, against other currencies. It …
Read More »Dilemma and relief of Uganda’s heart patients
By Mubatsi Asinja Habati At the age of 11, Nina Nahabwe underwent open heart surgery in the USA in 2003. Her parents could not have afforded the cost without the help of Kampala Rotary Club and Gift of Life International, a humanitarian body allied to overseas rotary groups that help …
Read More »Anti-gay bill opens a Pandora’s Box
By Ariel Rubin While section 140 of the colonial-era Penal Code Act already criminalises “carnal knowledge against the order of nature”, this new legislation will attempt to give teeth to that dictum Being gay in Uganda has never been easy, but a new draft bill tabled in Parliament on October …
Read More »I will follow my Shs 900m to the grave- Akankwasa
By Ariel rubin and John Njoroge In the last three weeks, the suspended Executive Director of National Forestry Authority (NFA) Damian Akankwasa has been in the spotlight over Shs 900m that he says was stolen from his house in Naguru by his estranged wife Juliet Akankwasa. He told The Independent’s …
Read More »Roads ministry seeks regional harmony on weighbridges
By Patrick Kagenda Works and Transport minister John Nasasira’s decision to suspend weighbridges across the country might finally put Uganda in harmony with its regional neighbours. Nasasira allegedly suspended the operation of weighbridges after it was discovered that the weigh bridge attendants were extorting money from truck owners, operators …
Read More »MTN’s Shs 200bn loan sparks comparison with bond offer
By Patrick Kagenda MTN has set a precident in acquiring quick money from Uganda’s financial market. It is the first to raise money through a syndicated loan in the country’s history. Will other corporations also follow? Bank of Uganda Governor Tumusime Mutebile says MTN’s Shs 200 billion syndicated bank loan …
Read More »Policewoman carries scar of kabaka riots
By Jocelyn Edwards As she sits in the shade on a bench outside the police post in south Kampala that she works at, Vastine Kiconco touches one of the three and half inch long scars that mark her head. Its been almost a month and a half since the police …
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